FSU Could Lose 25 Players For Music City Bowl

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - An academic cheating scandal couldleave Florida State without as many as 25 players when theSeminoles go against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31. "We have some players not traveling for one reason and some foranother, including those who are ineligible for the bowl because ofacademic issues," coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement releasedby the university Tuesday." Bowden put the number of players involved in the 25-playerrange. Many of the players could also be ruled ineligible for somegames next season for their connection to the cheating scandalearlier this year. Federal privacy laws prohibit the school from releasing names. "We want to make sure that we have complete information, andthat we have dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's," said LeeHinkle, vice president of university relations. "It is prematureto say anything at this point." Bowden had previously not answered questions following theteam's practices on the scandal that resulted in one full-timeacademic adviser, Brenda Monk, and a student tutor losing theirjobs this summer. The university reported its findings in a letter to the NCAA inSeptember after a six-month investigation by the school revealed atleast 23 athletes in various sports were implicated for cheating ontests. At least two Seminole football players already have beenpenalized for their involvement. Defensive end Kevin McNeill missedthe season and wide receiver Joslin Shaw missed the first fourgames. "Kentucky would be a tough opponent when we are at fullstrength so clearly this will make things more difficult," Bowdensaid. "Our staff is in the process of determining what adjustmentswe must make for the game." Bowden said he would not use any players redshirted this seasonin the bowl game.

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